Doha: Work on the Doha Expressway, an ambitious road project linking the north and south of the country through the capital Doha, has begun. The project, being carried out by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), is estimated to cost more than QR8bn and comprises 13 phases.
Ashghal has already started work on the four phases of the project - February 22 Interchange and Al Amir Street (phases I & II), Industrial Interchange (phase III) and D Ring-E Ring Interchange (phase IV).
The Doha Expressway also includes the 3.3km-long D Ring Road, linking the Khalifa Al Attiyah Intersection and the Airport Intersection.
The mega project includes construction of three-lane dual carriageway, service roads on both sides, two multi-level interchanges addition to the development of the network infrastructure and landscaping work.
The East Industrial Road is another phase of the Doha Expressway. This phase covers a stretch of three kilometres, linking the Industrial Interchange with the 33 Street (Muntaza Street).
F-Ring Road, another phase of the Expressway, extends along 10km and connects Al Muntaza Street with the New Doha Airport.
The G-Ring Road project, also a part of the Expressway, covers 19kms and connects the new Express Road 55 and the New Doha Port. Al Muntaza Extension is another part of the expressway. This extends for 5km, connecting the East Industrial Road with the 33 Street towards Al Muntaza.
Ashghal had won the Best Road Project Award from the International Association of Roads (IRF) for the Doha Expressway project.
In a recent press conference, Ashghal Director General Zayed bin Mansour Al Khayareen said Asghal's Five Year Plan includes 40 major road projects, adding that the authority has earmarked QR16bn for its various projects.
The coming years will see enormous changes in this fast developing country, especially when the first Five Year Plan ends by 2009/2010, he had said.
© The Peninsula 2007
